Reading for pleasure has become nearly obsolete for many teenagers these days. With the entire internet just a click away, focusing on the yellowed pages of a book for hours can easily become unappealing in comparison. After all, reading takes brain power and focus, things that aren’t required when watching a fast-paced movie or texting a friend.

However, it seems that rather than hating the idea of books as a whole, most of the younger generation find that they have actually lost the ability to sit down and read, even if they have the will to do so. Just like any other sport or hobby, reading is an activity that requires practice. A 300-page-or-so book may seem incredibly daunting at first, but with steady effort and patience, recreational reading can become a regular way to relax again.

Start small.

Although picking up a heavy classic sounds like the most effective way to “redeem” yourself, diving headfirst into one may not be the best way to rehabilitate your reading hobby. Start with something lighter, perhaps around 180 to 250 pages, to ease your way back into the habit. Getting through a book and finishing it gives you a sense of accomplishment and can motivate you to pick up another one. It also helps to start with a genre you know you are interested in, just to get used to exercising that reading muscle again!

Find a routine you can stick with.

The reality for many teenagers these days is that finding sufficient time to get lost in a book is very difficult. It is important to remember that reading is not an activity that requires a completely clear schedule, and it is possible to implement a reading routine even in a busy day. Even setting aside just twenty minutes each day will let you make gradual progress in the book you are reading. Use the half hour you have before getting up in the morning, or the time you have before going to bed. These short scheduled sessions will reintroduce reading as an integral part of your daily life.

Get a reading buddy.

Sometimes it helps to know that you’re not alone in achieving a certain goal. Try to find someone around you to talk with about the book you are reading! They do not have to be reading the same books as you are, and can even just be a conversation partner. Talking about books is one of the easiest and most effective ways to show appreciation for them, and even leads you to begin thinking about a story more in depth. Discuss a certain character’s motivations, the writing style, or even parts of the book you don’t like. Engaging conversations about your books will make you want to get back to reading and find new points for discussion.

Let yourself go.

In order to completely immerse yourself in a book, treat your reading session a bit like meditation. Create an environment that will allow you to get lost in an author’s world, and forget about any distractions that will interrupt your train of thought. Play a relaxing playlist, light a candle, or anything that will help you truly relax and drift away from reality. Picking up a book may feel quite slow at first, but the more you read, the more you will want to. Once you let yourself go and become invested in a story, turning each page will begin to feel like second nature!

In an age where nearly everything seems to be digital, it is important to take a step back and rest the eyes for a while. Unlike the fleeting nature of a short viral video or a comment section on Instagram, a book is a partner that stays with you forever, ready to have its sentences underline and be reread when the last page is turned. The unique feeling of finishing a good book is one that should be brought back to today’s generation.

<Isabel Hahn / OCSA 11th Grade>